Fantasy Baseball Draft 2014: Top 10 Deep Sleepers - Hitters

February 22, 2014

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Top 10 Deep Sleepers: Hitters

1. Jose Abreu - There is not much evidence to support Abreu being a top sleeper this year, but there is one fact that makes him very intriguing. Abreu had better stats in Cuba than both Cespedes and Puig, and that makes him a very intriguing option indeed. The White Sox believed in Abreu enough to give him 68 million dollars to replace their franchise star, Paul Konerko. Abreu's power potential is undeniable, and if he can keep up with the MLB's power pitchers, he will be a fantasy star much sooner than later.

2. Matt Adams - Adams is another relatively unknown power hitting first baseman that is going to be given the opportunity to play full time in the majors in 2014. Adams has the potential to lead the NL in home runs as he hit 17 homers last year in just 294 at bats. Adams is also a solid hitter as he had a career minor league batting average of .318 and he hit .315 when he started playing full time for the Cardinals in September. Adams did struggled during the postseason last year, but fantasy owners that are not afraid to draft him in 2014 will be getting a real bargain.

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3. Norichika Aoki - Aoki could be considered a poor man's version of Shin Soo Choo, and that makes him a great sleeper entering the 2014 season. Aoki has a posted a .287 batting average and a .355 OBP in his two MLB seasons in Milwaukee, and now he will be the leadoff hitter for an improving Royals offense. There is nothing flashy about Aoki, but he is a solid option that can be had in the very late rounds on draft day.

4. Evan Gattis - Gattis is a name that most fantasy owners are familiar with, yet he has not been moved up the 2014 draft rankings. Gattis is going to be given the opportunity to be the starting catcher for a strong Braves team, and that means he will have ample opportunities to drive in runs and score fantasy points. Gattis has already proven he is a clutch hitter despite the fact he posted a low batting average last season. Gattis hit 21 home runs in 354 at bats last year, and he is a prime sleeper if for no other reason than the fact he should lead all catchers in homers in 2014.

5. Adam Eaton - Eaton was a top prospect that was hindered by injuries last season. Eaton received some hype before last year's fantasy draft, but he has fallen off the radar entering the 2014 season. Eaton will be the leadoff hitter for the White Sox, and he has the ability to deliver a good number of steals with double digit power. Eaton should not be overlooked on draft day this season because he will outperform his very low average draft position.

6. Andrelton Simmons - Simmons just got a big payday from the Braves, and now he can simply concentrate on baseball. Simmons is already considered one of the best defenders in the game, and he has the potential to be a very good hitter as well. Simmons carried a .299 batting average through his time in the minors, and he was able to hit 17 homers last year in his first full time stint in the majors. If Simmons takes only a small step forward offensively, he will finish as a top 10 fantasy shortstop.

7. Omar Infante - Infante is set to hit in the number two hole of the Royals lineup behind Aoki and in front of Hosmer. If you believe the Royals are ready to take the next step as a team, than Infante is the best value player on their team. Infante is coming off a career year from his time with the Tigers, but those numbers have not inflated his draft day value. If you are wanting to wait till the late rounds to get a solid second baseman, then Infanta is an excellent option.

8. Carlos Quentin - Quentin has now officially joined the "forgotten fantasy stars" club, and he will once again go undrafted in most leagues this year. However, fantasy owners should keep Quentin on their radars as he had a very good statline last year for the brief time he was able to play. Quentin has been able to produce solid power numbers with a strong on base percentage throughout his career, the problem is that he has only been able to play in 100+ games three times in his career. Quentin is a huge injury risk, but if you have room on your bench, he is well worth a spot because he is very good when he is healthy.

9. Khris Davis - Davis is starting to get some attention now that fantasy draft day is getting closer, and he is definitely a player that should be monitored during the spring training games. Davis is similar to Domenic Brown last year in that his draft stock will rise dramatically if he has a strong spring training. Davis was awesome last year as Braun's replacement. Davis hit .279 last year with a stellar .949 OPS in the majors and those number were right in line with his career minor league stats of a .294 batting average and .912 OPS. Davis carries some regression risk, but his upside is outstanding for his current average draft position.

10. Jhonny Peralta - Peralta is a member of the PED club, and most fantasy owners have wiped him off their radars. Yet there is one reason that fantasy owners should consider drafting Peralta this year, and that is the fact the Cardinals chose him to be their starting shortstop. The Cardinals organization is the MLB version of the New England Patriots, and since they consider Peralta to be good enough to play for them, fantasy owners should respect the Cardinals baseball knowledge and consider Peralta as a fantasy option in 2014.

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